This text reviews academic, emotional, motivational, and social learning theories that help children to be their own teachers and teachers to be aware of the advantages of taking charge of one's own learning, rather than depending on teacher education methodology. Learning is described as more than learning facts and figures or directive…

Most science instructors in classes for prospective teachers emphasize the learning of basic facts and definitions in science from textbooks and lectures. Relatively little emphasis is placed on understanding science knowledge and how to use it in daily life. Most students in these classes tend to learn science, probably without understanding,…

This digest discusses the origins of Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, his definition of intelligence, the incorporation of the theory into the classroom, and its role in alternative assessment practices. Gardner defines intelligence as the "capacity to solve problems or to fashion products that are valued in one or more…

This book explores the concept of combining effective classroom techniques for teaching students to become good thinkers with effective strategies to engage students in thoughtful learning of the regular elementary school curriculum. The technique of lesson design and instruction that results is called "infusing critical and creative thinking…

The purpose of this inquiry was to determine the perceptions of certain secondary students in the Greater Cincinnati (Ohio) area who experienced an integrated curriculum that combined the subjects of geometry and visual art. A mathematics teacher and a visual arts teacher collaborated to facilitate student discovery by implementing creative…

Most restructuring efforts focus on changing the "how" of education. The articles in this book argue that redesign of the curriculum--the "what" of education--should be the main component of school revisioning. The book proposes a new framework for learning communities that views life as an intellectual and personal quest for knowledge and…

The Jasper Challenge Series of Vanderbilt University (Tennessee) has been used in conjunction with the university's videodisk problem-solving series, "The Adventures of Jasper Woodbury," to provide a teleconference-based performance arena that allows students and teachers to assess the degree to which they are learning to solve the kinds…

The point system used at Boys Town is often misunderstood, but the approach is a middle ground between two extremes: one relying on classical behavior modification, the other, rejecting behavior as a starting place for helping children get better. There are two major characteristics of the Boys Town approach: (1) teaching skills, such as…

This workbook suggests six problem-solving steps to help employees in workplace literacy programs learn how to solve problems: identify the problem; clarify goals; examine alternatives; choose; act; and evaluate and react. Fifteen problem scenarios are provided for group efforts in problem solving. A problem-solving questionnaire and questionnaire…

The effectiveness of problem-solving instruction in promoting high school students' acquisition, retention, and structuring of economics knowledge was studied through six economics classes. The problem-solving instruction model was developed based on problem-based learning in medical education, following similar work by H. S. Barrows and R. M.…

This report presents an examination of the analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation of an instructional unit designed to help high risk sixth grade students become better problem solvers through the teaching of the decision-making process. The systems approach outlined in the Instructional Systems Design (ISD) Model was used to formulate…

This publication is a compilation of abstracts and critical comments for 12 published investigations in mathematics education. Information for each study includes: purpose; rationale; research design and procedures; findings; and interpretations. For each study abstractor's comments also provide a brief critique. Topics include: planning problem…

The articles in this volume are written primarily by classroom teachers who share their experiences and offer practical examples of cooperative learning activities. Lesson and unit plans, games, group projects, samples of student work, worksheets, and evaluation forms are included, as well as cooperative learning activities for several grade…

Emotional intelligence (EI) is emerging as an area of interest in leadership development. Recent research stresses how valuable strong EI skills are to the success of the person, team, organization, and society. Unlike IQ, emotional intelligence skills can be improved with focused training, coaching, and lifespan experiences. Effectively used,…

The paper describes an innovative treatment approach to severe learning disabilities in use in St. Gallen, Switzerland. The multisensory approach is based on the assumption that learning disabled children have perceptual cognitive deficits. Reality based problem-solvng events connected with tactile-kinesthetic input become the primary foci of…